From July 25-27, 2016, VITA Program Coordinator Brad Martin represented United Way of Southwest Alabama and the SAFE Coalition at a meeting of the Taxpayer Opportunity Network Steering Committee in Washington, DC. The Taxpayer Opportunity Network is a program of the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED).
United Way of Southwest Alabama and FamilyWize announced today that local community members have saved more than $2.3 million on prescription medications through the organizations’ local partnership, which began in 2006. The results were revealed in the annual Health Impact Report, a compendium of data reflecting the health and financial support offered by United Way and FamilyWize in its joint community initiatives across the country.
It may not be tax season, but your United Way is hard at work ensuring that volunteers are trained and prepared for next year’s tax filings. The IRS has awarded the software contract for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs to a new vendor. Training for the new tax preparation software is occurring all summer long in Southwest Alabama.
Heat is typically the leading cause of weather-related fatalities each year. To protect your health when temperatures are extremely high, remember to keep cool and use common sense.
During extremely hot and humid weather, your body’s ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness. Learn the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses.
Zika virus disease (Zika) is a disease caused by the Zika virus, which is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. A recent BBC article states that the Gulf Coast is a prime location for this particular mosquito. Here is some information to help you be informed about the causes, prevention options, symptoms, and treatments.
Wondering what to do with your young child at home all summer? We’ve compiled a list of fun AND educational activities you can do for free or very cheaply with your child this summer that will improve their math, reading, and motor skills.
On Saturday, May 14, the annual National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive took place, bringing in more than 124,000 pounds of food donations. Each year the U.S. Post Office, fellow union members with the NALC, and Feeding the Gulf Coast team up for this event that provides tens of thousands of pounds of food to the food bank.
Good health is the foundation for being a productive citizen with a better quality of life. As such, UWSWA endorses healthy behaviors, including participating in physical activities to help increase fitness and reduce obesity. Realizing the importance of outdoor spaces for community health and championing the spirit of volunteerism advocated by United Way, UWSWA supporters and members of the local Labor Union collaborated to provide the public with a skateboard park.
Around 30 area businesses gave more than 500 employees the opportunity to participate in this year’s 22nd Annual Day of Caring, the region’s largest single day of volunteerism, on Friday, April 22.
Volunteers spent the work day improving the community by working on projects at United Way partner agencies in Mobile and Washington counties. The events of the day highlight the impact and power of volunteerism as an integral aspect of our civic leadership.
On Thursday, April 7, United Way of Southwest Alabama held its Inaugural Hometown NFL Huddle Charity Golf Tournament at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Magnolia Grove. Thirty-nine players, including 8 current or retired NFL players, spent the day on the course and helped bring awareness to the close partnership between United Way and the NFL that has existed for more than 40 years.